The reason it took so long for WWE to announce the release of Ashley Massaro is because they had to fax her the release papers. She then had to sign them and fax them back which takes several days to do. The announcement was made official when WWE had the signed papers in their hands.

I've heard rumors that Trevor Murdoch refused to do an angle within WWE and he either quit or they fired him because he didn't approve of the angle. That's not confirmed by any means and is 100% STRICTLY a rumor until I hear otherwise.